NC State’s coaching shake-up continued Sunday with the firing of defensive coordinator DJ Eliot, one day after head coach Dave Doeren was dismissed.
Eliot’s dismissal follows persistent defensive struggles, particularly against the pass, as the Wolfpack failed to consistently slow opposing offenses in the last two seasons.
General manager Andy Vaughn was also let go on Saturday.
Through the first six games of 2026, NC State ranked 104th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 27.7 points per game. In 2025, the Wolfpack allowed 411.9 yards per game, ranking 109th nationally. The defense particularly struggled against the pass, surrendering 273.2 passing yards per game last season.
The changes came after a disappointing 31-28 loss at Stanford on Friday night that dropped the Wolfpack to 3-4 on the season.
Doeren, the school’s all-time leader in coaching wins with 98, was in his 14th season in Raleigh. General manager Andy Vaughn was also fired.
Stanford entered Friday night’s game averaging 18.3 points per game and ranked 127th nationally in scoring offense. The Cardinal built leads of 14-0 and 28-14 and never trailed.
Eliot was hired Dec. 31, 2024, to replace Tony Gibson, who left to become the head coach at Marshall. While Gibson primarily used a 3-3-5 defensive formation, Eliot employed a more multiple scheme that incorporated 3-4 and four-man fronts in an attempt to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Eliot’s daughter, Drue, died during the 2025 season at age 18. She was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer when she was 12.
Charlton Warren will handle defensive play-calling for the remainder of the season, according to an NC State spokesperson. Zac Roper will coach the running backs and coordinate special teams.
Todd Goebbel, the team’s running backs coach and special teams coordinator, will serve as interim head coach following Doeren’s firing.
NC State (3-4 overall, 1-3 in the ACC) hosts Cal (3-5, 2-3) on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.